Preview Roundups
May 20, 2016
Atlanta at Philadelphia 7:05 PM ET
The Philadelphia Phillies' early-season feel-good story has been written primarily at the expense of the other National League East representatives. With an impressive 13-8 mark versus their division foes, the Phillies vie for their ninth win in 12 outings overall on Friday when they open a three-game series versus the visiting Atlanta Braves.
Colorado at Pittsburgh 7:05 PM ET
With their offense seemingly back in a groove, the Pittsburgh Pirates continue their 10-game homestand when they host the Colorado Rockies on Friday night in the opener of a three-game set. Pittsburgh improved to 4-1 in its last five games by taking three of four from Atlanta, scoring 29 runs in the series.
Cleveland at Boston 7:10 PM ET
The Cleveland Indians have ignited their offense just in time to test their mettle against the highest scoring team in baseball. After erupting for 43 runs in a home-and-home sweep of in-state rival Cincinnati, Cleveland continues its nine-game road trip when it opens a three-game set versus the Boston Red Sox on Friday.
Tampa Bay at Detroit 7:10 PM ET
The Tampa Bay Rays look to build off a record-breaking offensive series when they visit the equally red hot Detroit Tigers on Friday to begin a three-game set. The Rays recorded 44 hits with 20 for extra bases - both franchise records for a three-game series - and scored 31 times to set a team mark for a three-game road set in sweeping the Toronto Blue Jays.
Seattle at Cincinnati 7:10 PM ET
The Seattle Mariners have yet to lose a series on the road and look to keep that streak intact when they open a three-game interleague set at the Cincinnati Reds on Friday night. The Mariners took two of three in Baltimore to improve to an American League-leading 15-7 away from home while boosting their series record to 6-0-1 on the road.
Washington at Miami 7:10 PM ET
Perhaps the best move of the offseason has been Washington's signing of second baseman Daniel Murphy, who remains scorching hot as he leads the Nationals into Miami on Friday for the opener of a three-game series against the Marlins. Murphy hit a two-run homer and doubled as Washington jumped all over Matt Harvey in a 9-1 rout of the New York Mets on Thursday.
Milwaukee at NY Mets 7:10 PM ET
After surviving a scare the caused him to miss a start due to tightness in his elbow and forearm, Steven Matz returns to the mound for the New York Mets on Friday night in the opener of a three-game series versus the visiting Milwaukee Brewers. The Mets are mired in a 1-6 slide after dropping two of three to the Washington Nationals.
Kansas City at Chi. White Sox 8:10 PM ET
The Chicago White Sox have come back to the pack in the American League Central, and the Kansas City Royals hope to close the gap further when they visit the Windy City on Friday for the opener of their three-game series. Chicago ace Chris Sale pitched his squad to a 2-1 victory over Houston on Thursday, ending a stretch of four straight losses and six in seven games.
Texas at Houston 8:10 PM ET
Colby Lewis likes the sight of the Houston Astros, and he looks to continue his established pattern of success when the Texas Rangers pay a visit on Friday for the opener of their three-game series. Lewis is 9-1 with a 2.58 ERA in 15 career appearances (12 starts) against the Astros and has struck out 78 while issuing only eight walks.
Toronto at Minnesota 8:10 PM ET
The Toronto Blue Jays attempt to erase the memory of a five-game slide by recording a second straight victory when they continue their four-game series against the host Minnesota Twins on Friday. Toronto kicked off its seven-game road trip Thursday with a 3-2 triumph in 11 innings, which ended a losing streak that saw the club drop a pair of one-run decisions at Texas before being outscored 31-7 during a three-game sweep at the hands of Tampa Bay.
Arizona at St. Louis 8:15 PM ET
St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Stephen Piscotty is enjoying a month to remember, and that could spell bad news for an Arizona Diamondbacks club that he shredded in April. Piscotty looks to continue his torrid stretch at the expense of the Diamondbacks on Friday when the teams open a three-game series at Busch Stadium.
NY Yankees at Oakland 9:35 PM ET
The New York Yankees seek their first three-game winning streak of the season when they continue their four-game series against the host Oakland Athletics on Friday. After beginning its seven-game road trip with a pair of losses at Arizona in which it was outscored 17-5, New York captured the finale against the Diamondbacks before posting a 4-1 victory in the opener versus Oakland on Thursday.
Baltimore at LA Angels 10:05 PM ET
Two of the brightest stars in the majors square off Friday as the Baltimore Orioles begin a nine-game road trip with a weekend series against the surging Los Angeles Angels. Baltimore shortstop Manny Machado moved to the front of the MVP discussion with a dominant April but surely will be challenged by Angels center fielder Mike Trout, who is heating up following a slow start.
Chi. Cubs at San Francisco 10:15 PM ET
Jake Arrieta aims to become the first National League pitcher to reach eight victories when the Chicago Cubs open a three-game series against the host San Francisco Giants on Friday. Chicago has won each of Arrieta's last 21 regular-season starts and looks to keep the streak going against the Giants, who are the hottest team in the majors with eight consecutive victories.
LA Dodgers at San Diego 10:40 PM ET
The Los Angeles Dodgers are back at .500 after losing four of their last five games but hope to get untracked Friday when they head to San Diego to begin a three-game series against the struggling Padres. Dodgers first baseman Adrian Gonzalez is expected to miss his fourth straight game because of tightness in his lower back but could return Saturday.